Sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses



May 14, 1935. H. M. BARBER SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Jan. 5, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WM Z1, M

ATTORNEYS H. M. BARBER May 14, 1935.

SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1935 INVENTOR M Z4 M A TTORNE Y5 May 14, 1935. H. M. BARBER SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES' File an. 5, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet s I I 5 b b g i 55 IN VENTOR A TTORNE Y5 Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES SHE ET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Howard M.Barber. Pawcatuck, Connl. assignor to C. B. Cottrell & Sons Company. Westerly, R. L,

a corporation of Delaware Application January 5, 1935, Serial No. 515 25 Claims. (01.271-76) In sheet feed rotary printing presses the product of the press is necessarily limited by the number of sheets which can be successfully delivered during a certain period. With the press running at high speeds it is difiicult to successfully deliver the sheets flat in piles because of the trapping of air between the sheets in the piles. Various mechanisms have been proposed for solving this problem in an effective and reasonable manner.

My invention provides means whereby the sheets maybe delivered fiat to a plurality of piles with the press running at high speed,.by bringing the sheets out over the piles and up to the front stops ata speed well below the surface speed of the impression cylinder. v I My invention comprises a sheet delivery of the above character in which there is provided a sheet delivery rotary carrier arranged to take successive sheets from the impressioncylinder at .substantially the surface speed thereof, a sheet transfer endless chain carrier arranged to take the successive sheets from the sheet delivery rotary carrier at substantially the surface speed thereof; and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier. at different points thereon andat a lesser surface speed, and then deposit the sheets on to their respective piles. I

My invention further comprises manually controlled means for causing one of the sheet delivery endless chain carriers to deliver all of the sheets to its pile, when so desired.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 1a represent diagrammatically in side elevation so much of a sheet feed multicolor printing press aswill give a clear understanding of my improved flat sheet delivery mechanism, the parts being in the positions they assume when a sheet. is being transferred from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier to the first sheet delivery endless chain carrier; I 4 Fig. ;2 represents a detail diagrammatic view showing the parts in the positions they assume when a succeeding sheet is being transferred from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier to the second sheet delivery endless chain carrier; 50 Fig. 3 represents a detail side view, partly in section, showing one of the sets of grippers on one of the sheet delivery endless chain carriers, taken adjacent to one of the side chains thereof; Fig. 4 represents a similar View, taken adjacent to the ot side-cha 1,

Fig. 5 represents a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line V',V of Fig. 3;

. Fig. 6 represents a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line VI-VI of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 represents a taken in the plane of the line VIIVII of Fig. 4'.

The impression cylinder is denoted by I andit is herein shown as being provided withtwo sets of diametrically opposed grippers 2 and 3. The 10 form cylinders are denoted by 4, 5, 6 and 7, their gears 8, 9, I 0', I I being driven from the impression cylinder gear l2.

The sheet feed rotary carrier is denoted by l3 and it is shown as provided with a single set of 15 tumbler actuated grippers I4, the usual-pins l5, l6 being provided for operating the tumbler gripper cam 11 to. respectively take the sheets from the source of sheet supply I8 andtransfer them successively to the grippers 2 and 3 of the impression cylinder I. The sheet feed rotary carrier i3 is driven .at substantially the surface speed of the impression cylinder through 'the gears l2 and I9. I

The flat sheet delivery for the impression cylinder comprises the following elements:

The sheet delivery rotary carrier 20 is shown as being provided with a single set of grippers 2!, the sheet delivery rotary carrier being driven .at substantially .the surface speed of the impression cylinder 1 through the gears I2 and 22. l A fixedcam 23 is provided for operating the impression cylinder grippers 2 and 3 at the proper times to take successive sheets from the sheet feed rotary carrier l3, said cam 23 also coacting with a fixed cam 24 to transfer the sheets successively to the sheet delivery rotary carrier 20. p

The sheet transfer endless carrier is denoted by 25 and may be of the well known side chain type, provided with spaced transverse sets of grippers 26 mounted between theside chains of said sheet transfer endless carrien Fixed cams 21, 28 areprovided for operating the grippers 2| and 26 to cause the successivegrippers 26 to take successive sheets from the grippers 2| at a single point. a I

The upper and lower sheet delivery endless carriers 28 and 30 may also be of the well known side chain type and provided with spaced transverse sets of grippers 3i and32 arranged to take alternate sheets from successive grippers 26 of the sheet transfer endless chain carrier 25 at different points along the same.

h Interconnected movable cams 33 and. 34 are 5 v 5 transverse vertical section to open the grippers one only of the sets of endless chain carrier the outer pile provided for transferring alternate sheets from the grippers of the sheet transfer endless chain carrier 25120 the grippers 3| of the upper sheet delivery endless chain carrier 29. These cams 33 and 34 are connected by rods 35 and 36 to the arms 3?, 38 of a rock lever, the other arm 39 of which is connected to;one end of a rod, the other end of which rod carries a stud or roller 4| operated by a cam 42 fast on the shaft Q3 of the impression cylinder roller 4| may be held against the face of its cam 42 by a spring 44 interposed between a fixed bracket 45 and a collar 45 fast on the rod 40'.

Fixed earns 41, 48 are arranged in position to transfer alternate sheets from the grippers 26 of the sheet transfer endless chain carrier 25 to.

the grippers 32 of the lower sheet delivery endless chain carrier 30.

Fixed cams 49 and 50 are arranged in position 3| of the upper sheet delivery'endless chain carrier 29 and the grippers 32 offthe lower sheet delivery endless chain carrier 30 to deliver the sheets on tothe piles 5| and 52 respectively.

The sheet transfer endless chain carrier 25 is drivenatsubstantially the surface speed of the sheet delivery rotary carrier 20 and the impression' cylinder i'. The upper and lower-sheet delivery endless chain carriers 29 and38 are driven at a considerably lesser surface speed than the sheet transfer endless chain" carrier 25. This maybe accomplished as follows:

The shaft 53 of the sprocket wheels 54 which drive the upper sheet delivery endless chain carrier 29 is driven from the impression cylinder gear I2 through the train of gears 55,56, 51; 58, 53. The shaft 50 of the sprocket wheels 6| which drives the lower sheet delivery endless chain carrier 30 may be driven from the gear 59 through the gears 62, as; The shaft st of thesprocket wheels 65 which drive the sheet'transfer endless chain carrier 25 may be driven fromthe shaft through the gears 66 and 81.

The several sets of grippers on the sheet transfer and sheet delivery endless chain carriers are alike and therefore apartiizular description of gripperswill sufiice, for instance, the set of grippers 3| on the upper sheet delivery endless chain carrier 29. A crossbar 68 is mounted-at its ends in the side chains of the endless carrier, along which crossbar at spaced intervals the relativehf fixed jaws 69 of the set .of grippers 3| are clamped. A rocking crossbar 10 is mounted at its ends in ears 1| projecting laterally from the fixed crossbar 68, along which rocking crossbar fill at spaced intervals the movable jaws '12 are clamped in position to coact withtheir respective fixed jaws 69. The movable jaws l2 are yieldingly held closed by a spring pressed rocking lever i3 fast on the rocking crossbar 10,. said lever having a projection M engaging the bracket .15 on the fixed crossbar 58, between which bracket' 'and the lever '73 the expansion coilspring i6 is interposed. Atone end of the rocking crossbar l0 anarmTl is provided, which arm carries a stud 18' arranged in position to be engaged by its cams for controllingthe operation of the grippers.

' I have'provided manually controlled means for holding the movable cams ary in their operative position; so that all of the sheets may be transferred from the sheet transfer 25 to the upper sheet decarrier'29 for delivery on to for inspection -'purposes; or,

livery endless chain The stud or sorted to in the construction,

chain carrier,

33and 34 station- 5 M on the shaft 43 of the impression cylinder.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided simple and effective means whereby the sheets may be taken by the grippers on the upper and lower sheet delivery endless chain carriers 29 and 3|) alternately from the grippers 25 on the sheet transfer endless chain carrier 25 at a lesser surface speed than the said sheet transfer endless chain carrier 25, thus rendering it possible to run the printing press *at high speeds and yet successfully deliver the sheets fiat in piles, time being permitted for the proper settling of thesheets on'their respective piles. 2

This application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial No. 725,692, filed May 15, 1934. It is evident that various-changes may be reform and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the" particular embodiment herein shown and described, but

What I claim is: v

' 1. In asheet feed rotary printing press,'an

impression cylinder and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, both traveling at substantially the same surface speed; and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at said lesser surface speed.

2." Ina sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder and a sheet transfer endless same surface speed, and a plurality of sheet'delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at different points thereon and at said lesser surface speed.

3. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, animpressioncylinder, a sheet'delivery rotary'carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, all travelingat substantially the same surface speed, and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling ata lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from'the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at'said lesser surface'speed." 1

4. Ina sheet feed rotary printing press; an impression cylinder, a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endlesschain carrier, all traveling at substantially the samesurface speed, and a plurality {of sheet delivery endlesschain carriers traveling at a' lesser surface-speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier "at different points thereon and at said lesser surface s'peedi 5. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder, a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer: endless chain carrier, all traveling at substantially the same surface speed,

their coacting-sets of grippers,a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a both traveling'at substantially the lesser surface speed, and grippers thereon arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier grippers at said lesser surface speed. I

6. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder, a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, all traveling at substantially the same surface speed, their coacting sets of grippers, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed, and grippers thereon arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier grippers at different points on said sheet transfer endless chain carrier and at said lesser surface speed.

7. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a sheet feed rotary carrier, an impression cylinder, a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, all traveling at substantially the same'surface speed, their coacting sets of grippers, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling ata lesser surface speed, and grippers thereon arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier grippers at said lesser surface speed.

8. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a sheet feed rotary carrier, an impression cylinder, 'a

sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, all traveling at substantially the same surface speed, their coacting sets of grippers, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed, and grippers thereon arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier grippers at different points on said sheet transfer endless chain carrier at said lesser surface speed.

7 9. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a flat sheet delivery comprising a sheet transfer endless chain carrier traveling at a certain surface speed, and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at said lesser surface speed.

10. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a flat sheet delivery comprising a sheet transfer endless chain carrier traveling at a certain surface speed, and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at different points thereon and at said lesser surface speed.

11. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a flat sheet delivery comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, both traveling at substantially the same surface speed, and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at said lesser surface speed.

12. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a flat sheet delivery comprising a. sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, both traveling at substantially the same surface speed, and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed and arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at different points thereon and at said lesser surface speed.

13. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a flat sheet delivery comprising a sheet transfer endless chain carrier traveling at a certain surface speed,its grippers, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed, and their grippersarranged to take alternate sheets from the said sheet transfer endless chain Icarrier grippers at said lesser surface speed.

14. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a

less chain carrier grippers at different points on the sheet transfer endless chain carrier and at said lesser surface speed.

v 15. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, a fiat sheet delivery comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain carrier traveling at substantially the same surface speed,

their coacting sets of grippers, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed, and grippers thereon arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier grippers at said lesser surface speed.

16. Ina sheet feed rotary printing press, a flat sheet delivery comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier and a sheet transfer endless chain. carrier traveling at substantially the same surface speed, their coacting sets of grippers, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers traveling at a lesser surface speed, and grippers thereon arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier grippers at different points on the sheet transfer endless chain carrier and at said lesser surface speed.

17. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder and a flat sheet delivery therefor, comprising a sheet transfer endless chain carrier, a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers coacting therewith to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier, means for driving the sheet transfer endless chain carrier at substantially the same surface speed as the impressioncylinder and means for driving the sheet delivery endless chain carriers at a lesser surface speed.

18. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder and a flat sheet delivery therefor, comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier, a. sheet transfer endless chain carrier and a plurality of sheet delivery endless chain carriers,

arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless chain carrier.

19. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder and a flat sheet delivery therefor, comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier, a sheet transfer endless carrier, a plurality of sheet delivery endless carriers arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier, means for driving the sheet delivery rotary carrier and the sheet transfer endless carrier both at substantially the same surface speed as the impression cylinder and means for driving the sheet delivery endless carriers at a lesser surface speed.

20. In a sheet-feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder and a flat sheet delivery therefor comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier operable to take successive sheets from the impression cylinder at a single point, a sheet transfer endless carrier arranged to take successive sheets from the sheet delivery rotary carrier at a single point and a plurality of sheet delivery 4 endless carriers arranged to, take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier at different points thereon.

- .21. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an

impression cylinder and a flat sheet delivery therefor comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier operable to take successive sheets from the imthe sheet transfer endless carrier at different points thereon, means for driving the sheet delivery rotary carrier and the sheet transfer endless carrier both at substantially the same surface speed as the impression cylinder and means for driving the sheet delivery endless carriers at a lesser surface speed. l

22. In a sheetfeed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder having two sets of diametrically opposed grippers, a sheet feed rotary carrier for feeding successive sheets to said impression cylinder grippers, a sheet delivery rotary carrier having a single set of grippers arranged to take successive sheets from the, impression cylinder grippers at a single point, a sheet transfer endless carrier having sets of grippers arranged to take successive sheets from the sheet delivery rtary carrier grippers at a single point and a plurality of sheet delivery endless carriers having sets of grippers arranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier grippers at different points.

. 23. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder having two sets of diametrically opposed grippers, a sheet feed rotary carrier for feeding successive sheets to said impression cylinder grippers, a sheet delivery rotary carrier having a single set of grippers arranged to take successive sheets from the impression cylinder grippers at a single point, a sheet transfer endless carrier having sets of grippers arranged to take successive sheets from the sheet delivery sets of grippers arranged rotary carriergrippers at a single point, a plurality of sheet delivery endless carriers having I to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier grippers at different points, means for driving the sheet feed rotary carrier, the sheet delivery rotary carrier and the sheet transfer endless carrier all at substantially the same surface speed as the impression cylinder and means for driving the sheet delivery endless carriers at a lesser surface speed.

24. In a sheet feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder and a flat sheet delivery therefor comprising a sheet delivery rotary carrier operable to take successive sheets from the impression cylinder at asingle point, a sheet transfer endless carrier arranged to take successive sheets from the sheet delivery rotary carrier at a singlepoint and aplurality of sheet delivery endless carriers arranged to take alternate sheets from thesheet transfer endless carrier at different points thereon and manually controlled means for causing one of the sheet delivery endless carriers to take all of r the sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier;

25.'In a sheet'feed rotary printing press, an impression cylinder havingtwo sets of diametrically opposed grippers, a single sheet feed rotary carrierfor feeding successive sheets to said impression cylinder grippers, a sheet deliveryrotary carrier having a single set (of grippers arranged to take successive sheets from the impression cylinder grippers at a single point, a sheet transfer endless carrier having sets of grippers arranged to take successive sheets from the sheet delivery rotary carrier grippers at a single point and a plurality of sheet delivery endless carriers having sets of grippersarranged to take alternate sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier grippers at different points thereon and manually controlled means for causing one of the sheet delivery endless carriers to take all of the sheets from the sheet transfer endless carrier.

HOWA'RD M. BARBER. 

